East Union’s Jacob Danhoff has no problem getting his shot off over Stagg defender Cody Wilkenson in Thursday’s nonleague game at Dalben Center.

Photo By SEAN KAHLER/

A barrage 3-pointers in the second half pulled Stagg High back into what looked like an East Union runaway, but it would not be enough as the Lancers held on for the 64-55 victory Thursday at Dalben Center.

East Union, still undefeated at 7-0, opened the fourth quarter with a 49-37 lead and pulled out of its aggressive gear that kept the Lancers pushing the ball at all costs. Stagg took advantage, chipping away at the double-digit deficit with timely shooting.

Stagg nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to pull within three, but the Delta Kings would get no closer. Jordan Kron and Robbie Gloeckler both converted two free throw attempts late to seal the deal.

“We knew that (Curtis Benard) and (Ramiro Ramirez) were going to shoot the ball,” East Union head coach Brett Lewis said. “We knew that at anytime they could get into our lead; we knew they weren’t going to give up, we knew they would be right there.

“We got tested a little bit and they hit some three’s, but our guys responded.”

The Lancers are not new to games decided in the final quarter. Only three of their seven wins were won by double-digits.

East Union got a big boost early from Jacob Danhoff, who fought back from early foul trouble with a huge second quarter. Danhoff went on a tear to close the second, scoring four consecutive trips and putting in eight of his 14 points. Danhoff’s run pushed East Union’s one-point lead to double digits.

“He’s kind of the heart and soul for us,” Lewis said. “He’s scoring a lot of points, blocking a lot of shots, altering a lot of shots. When he went out in the first three minutes of the game with fouls it hurt us a lot and we got tested.

“When he came back he scored eight straight points for us; that’s what he’s capable of and that’s what he’s been doing.”

Kron led the Lancers with 15, while Justin Nieto and Aaron Ramos chipped in with 10 and eight, respectively. Stagg (4-6) got the majority of its points from Benard who had 16 and from Eddie Balanon with 12 on four 3-pointers.

“We’ve been in close games all year and we have been trying to become a playoff team,” Stagg head coach Ryan Berg said. “One of the hardest things you have to do is learn how to win. We’re getting there, but it’s going to take a few more games like this, against a quality team to get there.”

Sophomore

East Union 48, Stagg 40

The Lancers (5-2) fought back from an 11-point second half deficit to stun the visiting Stagg Delta Kings by eight Thursday.

Cody Keener led the Lancers with 13, while Lucas Garcia and Gabe Chavez both finished with 11.